WOU Food Pantry holds food drive across Monmouth and Salem campuses

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Looking to give back or get help from the campus community? The WOU Food Pantry is accepting food donations in large white barrels all around campus labeled with “WOU Food Pantry.” Students can also head to the Food Pantry in person, located in the Welcome Center by the courtyard entrance.

The donated food can be accessed by all members of the community and is not limited to students. No identification is required to use the service, it is only asked that one takes only what they need so that all visitors can have access. The food available is supplied solely from donations, so there is no guarantee that everyone will be able to grab the food they prefer. 

Donors of the Food Pantry include the Marion Polk Foodshare, which is a food bank that can be donated to in Salem, and other donations are collected from the Monmouth-Independence area.

For community members who do not need the service, or cannot donate food items, the pantry is run by volunteers and anyone is encouraged to donate their time. Volunteers have the option to sign up for one time shifts or can sign up for repeating shifts throughout the entire term. It is a great way to earn service hours or to add to one’s resume.

As well as being a place for people to pick up and donate food, the Food Pantry assists with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Money for Meals. Signing up for SNAP, also known as food stamps, can be a confusing process to go through, and the Food Pantry can assist in that process. Money for Meals is a Western program for students with a need for food that cannot be met through the Food Pantry. For any student or person in need of food assistance, the Food Pantry can help.

Give back to the community and donate time or food so that everyone can thrive. The Food Pantry is always taking donations.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu